Simply SIPs
Tony Millichap, technical manager, Kingspan Insulation Limited discusses the reasons for choosing SIPs
Many people dream of building their own home and, whether it is to be a futuristic timber clad construction or a traditional looking brick faced house, the one thing that they all share is the desire for shelter and space, comfort and aes- thetics, an individual lifestyle under their very own roof. Structural Insulated Panels, or SIPs, offer a versatile and sustainable method of build- ing a highly energy efficient home that can meet all of these requirements, in a matter of weeks. SIPs have been used for decades in North America, and are becoming increasingly popu- lar in the UK as a proven way of constructing very airtight and thermally efficient buildings, both for housing and non-domestic projects. SIPs can offer a number of clear benefits over more traditional methods of construction, includ- ing speed of installation, high levels of energy efficiency, airtightness and reduced waste. Add to that the flexibility to have pretty much any kind of finish to the exterior, and SIPs look like the ideal product for any self-builder to consider.
What exactly are SIPs? An example of a typical SIP construction would be two 15 mm OSB3 (Oriented Strand Board) facings with a 112 mm rigid urethane insulation core, providing a thermally efficient, structurally strong, rigid panel. The panels are factory cut to the design of the building, ready to slot together like a giant 3D jigsaw puzzle using special jointing systems that provide very high levels of airtightness.
Installation Because the panels are pre-cut ready to assem- ble there is very little onsite waste, the risk of defects is greatly reduced, and installation is extremely simple. Panels can be 1.22 m wide by up to 7.45 m tall, and the single fix installa- tion format reduces construction time, and is less labour intensive. A quality weatherproof enve- lope can be constructed in considerably less time than if using some traditional methods of construction such as brick and blockwork, and
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tasks such as drylining the walls can be carried out at the same time as finishing the roof. Follow on trades also start sooner and can be programmed in without risk of delay, making project completion times more reliable and keeping costs down.
Thermal performance One of the most important aspects of any home is its thermal performance. SIPs can provide a whole wall U-value no worse than 0.21 W/m².K, and U-values of 0.10 W/m2
.K or
better can easily be achieved with the addition of an insulated lining. Finished constructions can produce air-leak-
age rates as low as 1 m³/hour/m² at 50 Pa, keeping the warm air in and cold air out. SIPs can also help to avoid problems which may be associated with other common construction tech- niques such as air-leakage through poorly sealed sockets or switches, at floor zones through masonry cavity walls, under skirting
SIPs can offer a number of clear benefits over more traditional methods of construction, including speed of installation,
, airtightness and reduced waste
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